Alumni Association

Ai Tong School Alumni Association ("the Alumni") was established in the 1920s and its development can be captured in three phases.

Phase One (1924 to 1941)

The Alumni Association in the 1920s The Alumni atsaa-1920(then known as Ai Tong Old Boy Association), founded in 1924, resided within the school premises initially but over the years it has moved to various locations including:

  • 30 Enggor Street (1932)
  • 98 Telok Ayer Street (1933)
  • 9 Cross Street (1936)
  • 97 Cecil Street (1938)
  • 120A Anson Street (1940)

In the early years, the Alumni enjoyed much growth and development with members participating in cultural events to raise money for worthy causes. But as the economy slowed down, so did the pace of growth.

During World War II, as the Japanese invaded China, ethnic Chinese in Malaya and Singapore actively supported the anti-Japanese movement and members of the Alumni also actively participated in this national salvation movement.

From 1935 to 1940 the Alumni took part in numerous fund-raising funfairs and plays. They produced several anti-Japanese plays such as: "Fight our way back to our homeland", "Fight the Japanese", "Traitor Father", "A Corner in the Northeast". In 1940, the Alumni, together with Jing Fang Alumni, launched a series of fund raising activities and put up several musical performances.

The Alumni also organised a series of talks, current affairs forums, group discussions, weekly and bi-monthly get-togethers and also published "Livelihood" magazine to promote anti-Japanese sentiments.

In 1941, the colonial government shut down the Alumni.

Phase Two (1945 to 1965)

After the war in 1945 the Alumni resumed its activities and metatsaa-1950 at 104B Amoy Street. In 1948 it was allowed to be registered as Ai Tong Alumni Association. During that period, it limited it involvement in sports activities and school anniversary celebrations.

In 1953, the Alumni promoted wholesome cultural activities, in response to the "anti-yellow culture" campaign organised choral groups, harmonica team, Chinese Orchestra, drama, dance and even Malay classes. These were supported by enthusiastic and supportive members.

The Alumni started to collaborate with Chong Fu Alumni Association and the synergy was evident in activities like the Celebratory Concert to comemorate the completion of the Hokkien Huay Kuan Building in 1954 and the celebration of Singapore's self-government in 1959. In the same year, a combined atheletics meet was held, with the collection from the first evening donated towards the Nanyang University Building Fund.

In 1961, the two Alumni's jointly organised a grand concert and proceeds from the first evening went to the National Theatre Funds. In 1963 and 1965, the joint Alumni team organised Musical Night, Chinese Orchestra Performance and Dance Night which were very well received and supported by the public. Together with other alumni groups in Singapore, they promoted Chinese Education through the "Torch Campaign".

In December 1965, the Alumni was dissolved again.

Phase Three (1985 to 2005)

In 1985, the alumni association moved to the 3rd flooratsaa-1985 of the Hokkien Huay Kuan Building at 137 Telok Ayer Street.

In the eighties, as Singapore's economy grew steadily, interest in reviving the Alumni gained momentum. In 1985, the Alumni was approved for registration and was housed on the third floor of the Hokkien Huay Kuan Building at 137 Telok Ayer Street. In 1999, it moved to Ai Tong School at 100 Bright Hill Drive.

  1. During this period, the Alumni actively took on numerous fund-raising activities to support the School Education Fund. The fundprovided bursaries to needy students and offered scholarships to outstanding students. Together with the school, it alsoorganised several performances and parents' night.
  2. It also provided performance opportunities for talented children of our alumnus to showcase their talents.
  3. The Alumni also invited overseas troupes like the Beijing Children Performing Troupe, Dalian Children Cultural Troupe, Chinese professional singers, Xinjiang Dance Troupe and many others to perform here.
  4. The Alumni also organised calligraphy exhibitions by renowned Chinese artists and our members. The show included the Shen Zhou Shuang Guan Li Yuan Shi Calligraphy Exhibition, He Rong Yuan Cultural Display and Ang Hiong Chiok Oil Painting Exhibition.
  5. The Alumni has also invited experts like Dr Yeo Seem Huat, Dr Tan Tiong Har, Physician Wong San Yong, Physician Ang Mui Choo, Professor Lee Guan Kin, Professor Ang Meng Choo and Professor Chan Yan Chong to speak on issues including health, education, economies and history.

atsaa-1999Other activities organised by the Alumni include Qigong, folkdance, social dance, karaoke singing, martial arts and many more. Complementing the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan's educational beliefs, the Alumni is committed to continue to provide these activities for both enrichment and educational purposes for the school and the community at large.